Well that sucked.
My Week 8 picks were subpar. They were embarrassing. I mean seriously, how am I allowed to even make Week 9 picks?
Apparently I have some friends in high places, because I have been given the opportunity to redeem myself in the final week of the regular season.
If I have some missteps this week, I may not be back for the playoffs. I am sure that would make a lot of you pretty happy.
Last week: 8-11
Overall: 67-26
CARROLL AT WAYNE. Both of these teams need a Week 9 victory in the worst way. Interestingly, neither of these teams have performed well after victories over Snider – the Generals in Week 6 and the Chargers in Week 2. Carroll’s other two wins this year have come against South and North. Expect a lot of points here. BLITZ PICKS WAYNE BY 9.
CONCORDIA AT NORTH SIDE. Yes they are “only” 3-5, but three of the Cadets’ five losses have come by seven points or less. North Side has found offense in the second half of the year, but it won’t be enough against Concordia. BLITZ PICKS CONCORDIA BY 6.
BISHOP LUERS AT SNIDER. The likelihood of the Panthers becoming an offensive juggernaut this season are slim, but if the offense can continue to make some plays and put up enough scoring to complement a very good offense, good things could happen in the postseason. Luers wants to stay close in this one, but more important games await. BLITZ PICKS SNIDER BY 13.
NORTHROP AT BISHOP DWENGER. After a two-year reign by Snider, the Saints are 48 minutes away from recapturing the Victory Bell. Blitz is always partial to that snazzy paint scheme that the Saints slap on the thing. The Bruins present a challenge, but Dwenger will be refocused and ready after last week’s defeat. BLITZ PICKS DWENGER BY 14.
HOMESTEAD AT SOUTH SIDE. People scoffed at the two-quarterback system that the Spartans deployed to open the season, yet here we are in Week 9 with Luke Goode and Jake Archbold still splitting time and making plays. Spartans will enter the postseason with four straight wins. BLITZ PICKS HOMESTEAD BY 32.
COLUMBIA CITY AT NORWELL. The Eagles have lost two straight by double digits, but both of the games were closer than the final score indicated. This feels like a “get right” week for Coach Fox’s squad. BLITZ PICKS COLUMBIA CITY BY 15.
NEW HAVEN AT HUNTINGTON NORTH. The Bulldogs have not finished with a losing record in the regular since 2009. At 4-4, New Haven needs a win to avoid that streak from ending. Vikings are improved, but not yet at the Bulldogs’ level. BLITZ PICKS NEW HAVEN BY 14.
DEKALB AT LEO. The Barons have become the darling of the second half of the NE8, having won four straight games entering this week. DeKalb leads the conference in rushing and a defense that has pitched three shutouts. Leo has found its groove offensively as a front line has matured. This one is close. BLITZ PICKS LEO BY 6.
EAST NOBLE AT BELLMONT. Respect has been hard to come by for a Knights team that navigated a tough NE8 to win the league this season. The final hurdle to an undefeated conference record is the Braves, which will have all sorts of trouble slowing down Kaiden Harshberger and the EN offense. BLITZ PICKS EAST NOBLE BY 22.
ADAMS CENTRAL AT WOODLAN. The ACAC’s biggest game the last few years also happens to come in Week 9. Amazing how that works out? If the Flying Jets win they capture the league crown outright. If the Warriors win, they share it. Unfortunately, Woodlan just doesn’t have the offense to stay in this one. BLITZ PICKS ADAMS CENTRAL BY 20.
JAY COUNTY AT HERITAGE. Parker Grimes has thrown 12 touchdowns and just five interceptions this year for Jay County. He should add to those TD numbers on Friday. BLITZ PICKS JAY COUNTY BY 9.
LAKELAND AT BLUFFTON. One of the best games of the week that no one is talking about. The Tigers are able to put up a lot of points on the back of running back Everett Johnson. But the Lakers are no slouch offensively either, having score 41 or more points each of the last three weeks. BLITZ PICKS BLUFFTON BY 3.
SOUTH ADAMS AT SOUTHERN WELLS. Starfires have a big one at Churubusco to kick off sectional play, so they may get caught looking a bit ahead this week. It won’t result in a loss, but it may make for a slow start. BLITZ PICKS SOUTH ADAMS BY 25.
CENTRAL NOBLE AT GARRETT. Blitz continues to want to pick the Railroaders to win a game that on paper they shouldn’t. But Central Noble has dropped two in a row and desperately needs some positive vibes before next week. BLITZ PICKS CENTRAL NOBLE BY 11.
EASTSIDE AT ANGOLA. Safety Ryan Brandt of Angola will visit Notre Dame for its game against Pitt on Saturday. Before that, the junior and his Hornets teammates will cap their second-consecutive undefeated regular season. BLITZ PICKS ANGOLA BY 27.
FAIRFIELD AT CHURUBUSCO. Birds collide as Falcons battle Eagles. Unlike in the animal kingdom, this won’t be an even fight. BLITZ PICKS CHURUBUSCO BY 41.
TRADERS POINT AT FREMONT. Traders Point is 7-1 but plays like two schools that I have heard of. BLITZ PICKS FREMONT BY 1.
WEST NOBLE AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS. Brandon Pruitt rushed for a season-high 215 yards against Eastside in August. He may surpass that number on Friday night. BLITZ PICKS WEST NOBLE BY 30.
CONCORD AT WARSAW. A victory on Friday gives the Tigers seven wins, their most in the regular season since 2001. Bart Curtis is building something big in Warsaw. BLITZ PICKS WARSAW BY 19.
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You forgot the New Haven @ HNHS FB game!
ADDED. Apologies Bill!
That game has been added. Apologies